The Fenway Bowl pits two schools better known for basketball but are looking to build a football program with experienced NFL coaches. It is also in a baseball stadium. Interim coach Freddie Kitchens is keeping the North Carolina seat warm for recently hired Bill Belichick. UConn is coached by Jim Mora, in his third year in Storrs. The NFL Draft and transfer portal have taken players off the field and given opportunities to others. Both the matchup on the field and the unknown of what’s to come for UNC with Belichick looming, add to the interest as North Carolina faces UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl.
For the Tar Heels in particular, the key to success in this bowl is to not be distracted by changes that are on the way. Kitchens said in his Thursday pre-bowl press availability “These guys have done a good job of knocking out some of the distractions.” Additionally, star running back Omarion Hampton will not be playing in the bowl. He has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. That leaves a big hole in the offensive game plan for Kitchens and the staff to fill after Hampton set a single-season team record with 2,033 all-purpose yards.
For UConn, this game is not too far from campus and allows the Huskies to build more momentum heading into 2025. UConn comes into the Fenway Bowl as winners of three of the last four games of this season and seven of their last nine. This marks the first time UConn football has finished above .500 in 14 seasons.
North Carolina (6-6) Faces UConn (8-4) in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl
When & Where: Saturday, December 28th, 11:00 am ET, in Boston, Massachusetts (Fenway Park)
Last Game’s Results: North Carolina lost their last regular season game, and Mack Brown’s last game as coach, 35-30 at home against NC State. UConn closed out the regular season with a 47-42 road win over UMass.
Regular Season Results: This matchup pits a team that underachieved against one that overachieved. The North Carolina Tar Heels were expected to be better than their 6-6 record (3-5 in the ACC). This performance led to Brown being fired and replaced by Belichick. UConn, on the other hand, came into this season with lower expectations after a 3-9 record in 2023. While the Huskies do not belong to a football conference, they completed a successful 8-4 campaign this season. They bring momentum into the Fenway Bowl, winning three of their last four games.
Series History: These two teams have met only three times throughout history, with North Carolina winning all three. The last meeting was in 2009, and North Carolina won 12-10 at UConn.
Bowl History: North Carolina has appeared in 38 bowls in its history, carrying a record of 15-23. UNC first appeared in a bowl on New Year’s Day 1947, a 20-10 loss vs. Georgia. More recently, the Tar Heels have lost their last four bowls and fell to West Virginia 30-10 in last year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl. UConn has played in seven bowl games heading into this year, winning three and losing four. The Huskies last appeared in the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl, falling 28-14 to Marshall.
North Carolina Faces UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl: Key Players to Watch
North Carolina Running Back Davion Gause
Players sit out bowl games, for reasons like the NFL Draft or entering the transfer portal. These decisions bring opportunities for younger players. For UNC, freshman running back Davion Gause can be the beneficiary of what other Tar Heel running backs have decided.
Hampton, the clear leader of the offense, is sitting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. The Tar Heels will miss his first-team All-ACC production. On the season, Hampton led the ACC with 1,660 yards (second in the nation), along with 15 rushing touchdowns. He topped 100 yards in 10 of 12 games and eclipsed 200 yards rushing in two games.
Replacing the production and importance of Hampton is not easy. Gause will have the opportunity to do just that in the Fenway Bowl. Caleb Hood and Jordan Louie, other UNC running backs, have opted out of the bowl game to enter the transfer portal. The ground game should be Gause’s show, and he brings some experience. He has had 62 carries this season for 314 yards and four touchdowns. The highlight of Gause’s season came against Charlotte early in the season. With Hampton sitting out the second half, Gause rushed 16 times for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Speaking of the opportunity for younger players, Kitchens simply said “It’s a big opportunity to show what they can do.” Gause’s ability to take the reins and show what he can do makes him a player to watch in the Fenway Bowl.
UConn Quarterback Joe Fagnano
UConn enters the Fenway Bowl with momentum, and with an offense that has performed well this season. Quarterback Joe Fagnano has been a major driver of that. UConn has averaged 32.3 points per game, tied for 34th nationally (with UNC).
Fagnano is a veteran, just completing his sixth year of college football. After four years at Maine, he moved over to UConn for the 2023 season. After attempting only 23 passes in 2023 because of a season-ending shoulder injury, he saw much more playing time in 2024. This year, Fagnano has completed 56.8% of his passes for 1,480 yards. He had 18 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Of note, Fagnano was only sacked three times.
Fagnano gets the opportunity to lead UConn to a bowl win and tie the school record for wins in a season. His veteran presence and ability to avoid turnovers and sacks make him a player to watch in the Fenway Bowl.
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